Winter Linseed Monitor Farm 2022 - JE Chamberlain
July
Winter Linseed combining is nearly completed and so far the results are very pleasing – final results are averaging 3.4t/ha across the greater bulk of the farm, the highest yielding field delivered 3.9t/ha but this is pegged back to 3.0t/ha where the pigeons were relentless in the spring, which really shows the value of pigeon control. I do feel it was worse this year than normal due to the lack of rape crops in this area. The fungicide and growth regulator applications, as recommended by Premium Crops, have shown their worth by prolonging the green leaf area and canopy to allow full utilization of the extra sunshine that we have had this year, and combined dry as well!
In July rain was recorded as 23.1mm and temperatures are currently averaging 19.4 °C (see Sencrop weather data below).
June
The linseed is looking surprisingly well given the lack of rain, but we will have to see the effect on seed size and numbers in the capsules. The fungicide has done a good job, and the earlier PGR has ensured the crop is standing well.
In June rain was recorded as 30.1mm and temperatures are currently averaging 16.2 °C (see Sencrop weather data below).
May
The crop has benefited from the rain, and final fertiliser went on just before which is ideal.
In May rain arrived, rain was recorded as 45mm and temperatures are currently averaging 13.8 °C (see Sencrop weather data below).
March / April
The crop is at varying growth stage, the more forward parts are nearing the end of stem extension. Pigeon grazing has continued to be an issue (see image below) and has created an uneven crop. The pigeon damage seems to be lessening and crops are recovering and re-tillering.
The weather has prevented spray applications until mid march, Eagle and zinc have now been applied for the brassica weeds, followed by fertiliser 15th March. Due to the uneven nature of the crop a PGR of metconazole is going to be applied at the start of April.
January / February
The crop is looking well leaving winter and is now 8-9cm tall and well rooted (Figure 1). Some broad leaf weeds have emerged; vol OSR, hedge mustard and charlock which will be treated for with Eagle 40g/ha. One field is weedier than others and will require a further treatment for blackgrass of Centurion max at 1 l/ha. The crop looks free of disease following an autumn fungicide.
The pigeons have found the crop in the new year, a couple of fields are showing grazing damage but pigeon deterrents were put out, the crop is recovering well and tillering from the base.
In January- 14th February rain was recorded as 52.1mm of rain recorded and temperatures are currently averaging 5.2 °C (see Sencrop weather data below).
November / December
The linseed crop was looking pretty robust into winter with good establishment and at approximately 100mm high.
October / November
The two varieties of winter linseed (Alpaga and Atttila) are coming up nicely after the rain. The fields are at different growth stages, with the heavier land emerging slower than the lighter land.
A pre-em herbicide of Sultan was applied to get a good start on controlling broad leaf weeds. With the rain the volunteer cereals have got going and now need controlling with a low rate of Falcon before they start overly competing with the linseed. This will be done to the more forward fields hopefully around the 10th October (weather permitting), but on the slower emerging fields the crop will need to more fully emerge before this can be considered.
Since the weather station instillation there has been 16.9mm of rain, average temperatures have kept soils warm are currently averaging 12.4 °C (see Sencrop weather data below).
